Governor Inslee signs SB5254 on July 6, 2017
The signing of SB5254 is considered a big win for REALTORS and our communities. This bill aims to improve the GMA's Buildable Lands Review process to help tackle housing inventory shortages creating issues all across the state. It also provides funding for low-income and homeless housing programs. Thank you to all who worked tirelessly to get this bill to the table!

Previous Updates

On Monday, April 24, Governor Inslee called the 2017 Legislature into a 30-day Special Session to negotiate the 2017-2019 Operating Budget and to comply with the Supreme Court’s McCleary education funding decision. Washington REALTORS® recently launched an extensive media campaign opposing real estate tax increases. And while the budget and taxes will have top priority in the Special Session, we need you to ask your legislator for action on two important policy issues during the Special Session: fixing the Hirst water rights decision and addressing housing supply and homelessness funding.

Below is information for a REALTORS® Call to Action on SB 5239, which addresses the impacts of the Supreme Court’s Hirst water rights decision, and SB 5254, which improves the Growth Management Act’s Buildable Lands Review process and provides funding for low-income and homeless housing programs:

Update: Calls for Action have expired...

Support SB 5254Improving the GMA’s Buildable Lands process and funding low-income and homeless housing. In many parts of Washington State, the supply of housing inventory is at an all-time low and prices at all-time highs. This affects the entire housing market – from first time buyers and families wanting a bigger home, to renters and the low-income. SB 5254 improves the Growth Management Act’s Buildable Lands Review process to ensure that adequate land is available inside Urban Growth Areas, and provides funding for low-income and homeless housing by extending the $40 document recording fee and allowing use of local REET for these purposes. Please contact your legislators immediately by taking action below and ask them to support SB 5239 and SB 5254.